Human Rights: Spending Cuts Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Justice

Human Rights: Spending Cuts

Baroness Prashar Excerpts
Thursday 7th October 2010

(14 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I know that there are supporters on all Benches of this House for the idea of a written constitution. However, I remember when my old friend Lord Peart occupied these Benches and got questions like that. He used to say, “Not next week”.

Baroness Prashar Portrait Baroness Prashar
- Hansard - -

My Lords, would the Minister agree that human rights have a practical role to play in an era of austerity? Looking at expenditure cuts through the lens of human rights would save us from damaging services for the most vulnerable. If he agrees, what steps are being taken now to ensure that this is happening?

Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I agree entirely that human rights are not a matter to be judged by expenditure cuts. What we can do—and I think that this is already taking place in all departments—is to ensure that, when the inevitable cuts take place, they are tested against protecting human rights, with a strong emphasis on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable.